Irina Osipova - EuroBasket Women 2015 Profile

You will struggle to find a more experienced or respected player at EuroBasket Women level than the three-time Olympian who has been a major part of the roster for almost 15 years. That means Osipova is preparing for an incredible seventh Final Round appearance of her illustrious career. She is the fundamental player in the paint with her impressive rebounding prowess and defensive skills which were evident when she led the way in rebounding and shot blocking during qualification. Thanks to a high basketball IQ, she reads the game thoroughly, finding ingenious passing lanes on offence. She assists her team-mates in the most beautiful style around, with her telescopic hands finding passing options where others dare not look. An anchor player for the Russians, she isn't able to stay on the floor for 30 to 40 minutes or go running coast-to-coast, but she still works out her intensive bursts of action with a real bang.